This is a significant shift in tone on both sides following fallout in relations, especially between the intelligence services.The stability of nuclear-armed Pakistan is essential to regional security, as well as to U.S. counterterrorism efforts and to a successful outcome of the war in Afghanistan. The relations suffered a setback in January when a CIA contractor shot and killed two Pakistani men in Lahore, and deteriorated further after the May 2 unilateral raid by U.S. Navy SEALs in a Pakistani town which killed al-Qaeda's top leader Osama bin Laden. Following the raid, Islamabad ordered all U.S. military trainers to leave the country and in July, Washington announced it was withholding $800 million in aid to the Pakistani military.

Despite the new sign of cooperation, issues of mistrust remain. U.S. officials continue to suspect ISI's links (BBC) with militant groups targeting U.S. forces in Afghanistan such as the Haqqani network. Also, U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's northwest region along the Afghan border tend to draw harsh criticism from Pakistani officials in public.

Although U.S. successes against al-Qaeda have limited its capacity to unilaterally attack the United States, the threat from al-Qaeda working with or through associated militant outfits in Pakistan remains, says terrorism expert Stephen Tankel in this CFR Contingency Planning Memo. A terrorist attack on the U.S. homeland postmarked Pakistan, he adds, would severely strain U.S.-Pakistan relations and have implications for U.S. operations in Afghanistan.

U.S. strategy in Afghanistan remains a sticking point between the United States and Pakistan. A joint report by the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Pakistan-based Jinnah Institute finds that Pakistan's foreign policy elite and senior politicians perceive Washington's Afghanistan strategy "to be largely inconsistent with Pakistan's interests." One concern for the Pakistanis is a continued U.S. security presence in the region post-2014, which may entail retaining military bases in Afghanistan and using them for counterterrorism missions against al-Qaeda and other high value targets in Pakistan.

In a CFR report, South Asia expert Daniel Markey argues, "Washington must make its strategy in Afghanistan consistent with its approach to Pakistan." He says the U.S. military surge in Afghanistan should be pursued along with a special emphasis on weakening militants with bases in Pakistan to delineate "irreconcilable" Afghan insurgents from "reconcilable," those who may eventually have a seat at the negotiating table.

Besides a more streamlined and a transparent counterterrorism strategy, many analysts have called for a more comprehensive U.S. agenda prioritizing economic growth and civilian institution-building in Pakistan. A report from the New America Foundation (PDF) calls for a shift in U.S. support from aid to trade and investment, engaging with the Pakistani public and institutions at all levels of governance, including easing restrictions on travel visas and intensifying support for regional peace building through improved India-Pakistan relations.

Experts discuss the India-Pakistan security dilemma, how U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan may affect the relationship in the future, and a viable role for the United States at the Atlantic Council of the United States.

India now matters to U.S. interests in virtually every dimension. This Independent Task Force report assesses the current situation in India and the U.S.-India relationship, and suggests a new model for partnership with a rising India.

Rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries are increasing faster than in wealthier countries. The report outlines a plan for collective action on this growing epidemic.

2015 Annual Report

Learn more about CFR’s mission and its work over the past year in the 2015 Annual Report. The Annual Report spotlights new initiatives, high-profile events, and authoritative scholarship from CFR experts, and includes a message from CFR President Richard N. Haass.Read and download »

The Chronicle

The Fall 2016 issue of CFR's member newsletter, the Chronicle, is a guide to CFR's most important news since August 2016, and includes announcements about new programs, partnerships, fellows, meetings, publications, and members. Read it now.

Now Available: Foreign Policy Begins at Home

The biggest threat to America's security and prosperity comes not from abroad but from within, writes CFR President Richard N. Haass in his provocative new book. More